Draco Malfoy is in love with the most beautiful girl in the world.
She has ten fingers, ten toes (he should know, he's counted them often enough) and two little eyes that captivate him. She already has a small patch of blonde hair that curls just like her mother's. Everything about her is so right that he feels a little in awe at her, she's so delicate he's scared to touch her in case he breaks her.
"And you wanted a boy." Ginny's voice is amused but tired. Her accusation forces him to tear his eyes away from little Isabella.
"I did not. I just thought that it would be nice to have an heir." She just smiles up at him, eyes half closed from exhaustion. "Get some sleep love, if I need anything your mother will help." He kisses her forehead.
"Mmm, she is wonderful though isn't she?"
"Gorgeous."
Ginny's hand is dusted with freckles just as the rest of her is; they stand out even more tonight against the sickliness of her skin. Draco holds her hand tight; he came too close today to losing the two people he loves most in the world. She closes her eyes but murmurs, "Draco, I'm all right. The doctors said that I'll be fine." Her thumb traces circles on his hand, the repeated motion calms him though he doesn't let go.
"I was so worried, you don't know how scared I was." He needs her reassurance that she's well and whole, that the shine in her eyes is not just her happiness at their daughter.
"You worry too much." It's all she says before falling asleep. Isabella chooses that time to stir, her brand new voice calling from over her plastic confines.
He is careful to pick her up, the other times he's done this Ginny and Molly and the rest of those redheaded demons had been there. Ready to call him on the smallest mistake. But now he holds her close to his chest he can see her tiny perfection in all its glory. He is startled with her beauty, just as he always is with her mother.
She burrows into his rumpled shirt, her dark eyes closing and her breath slowing. She falls asleep in his arms and the realization that she will do the same thing again in the near future sends a small tremor through his heart. There are wonderful new words that have been added to his vocabulary, father, daughter, mother, family. And other words that have acquired new meanings, love being the one that right now fills him with wonder.
He places her down gently, watches her yawn like a cat before settling into the blanket knitted by her grandmother. A strange sense of peace sweeps over him and settles into his bones. He kisses her hand, a silent promise hidden from the world, and sits down next to her. He watches the day break and watches over the two most important things in his life.
The sunlight filters through the window and he can see as it lights up both of their faces, surrounds them in a dull glow and it's the last thing he sees before sleep overtakes him. Two resting angels that smile as they dream of what is to come.